I’m going back to basics today on the blog!

Remember these bad boys? They were at every block party, cake walk, bake sale, church potluck and kids party on the planet.

Filled to the brim with chocolate chips and if made correctly, super gooey in the center.

I made these bars for our Superbowl party because I wanted something sweet and had all the ingredients to make these bars (or cookies) on hand.

They are a classic that can be easily altered with M&M’s, nuts, or any type of chocolate or candy you have on hand.

I looked back and realized I have been on a real bar-making kick lately…I promise to not make any more bars for a while now!

I hope you are all surviving this terrible snow/ice/freezing cold weather we all seem to be having this winter 😦

There are a few things getting us through thus far:

1.  The thought of margaritas and beer on a patio this summer with mounds of chips and guacamole.

2. Watching the winter olympics from my warm apartment with a giant down comforter,  a large glass of wine and a cat that suctions to you like a personal space heater.

3. And finally, the hope that next winter can’t (please?!?!)  possibly be as cold and horrid as this one has been…

Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Makes about 20-25 squares

Ingredients

2 1/4 Cups Flour

1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1 Teaspoon Salt

1 Cup (2 Sticks) Butter, softened

3/4 Cup Sugar

3/4 Cup Brown Sugar, packed

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

2 Eggs

2 Cups (One 12oz pkg) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

(Optional 1 Cup chopped nuts)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Grease a 15×10 inch jellyroll pan and set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside

In the bowl of a mixer, combine softened butter and sugars. Beat until well incorporated. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Add vanilla and mix until just incorporated. Add flour gradually mixing until just combined. Add chocolate chips and nuts (if using) and mix for just a second until incorporated.

As well as you can, spread dough onto prepared jellyroll pan and place into oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and no longer gooey in the center.

Let cool, slice and serve.

Or serve warm with ice cream and toppings!